HISTORY OF MADAGASCAR 
357 
he can, if another should give him a push, the chance is, 
that he will fall.” 
While the king was thus endeavouring to meet the views 
of his people by preventing the too rapid advancement of 
education, he was actively prosecuting the conquest of the 
island, and, on the 1st of January, 1825, Prince R am an an d- 
lona, accompanied by 2,000 soldiers, left the capital for 
Fort Dauphin, with orders to take possession of all that 
part of the country in the name of Radama. One thousand 
of the troops were to remain there with him, in his appoint¬ 
ment as governor of that part of the island; the rest 
having been sent merely as a provision in case of opposi¬ 
tion from the natives, were to return to Imerina. The 
prince left Tananarivo with his two wives in great state; and 
in the month of May, news reached the capital that he had 
been successful, but at the expense of an immense sacrifice 
of life. The victorious troops had obtained large quantities 
of spoil, slaves, and cattle; and those who returned to 
Tananarivo in June, brought not only their share of booty, 
but a great number of muskets, which they had taken from 
the inhabitants of the country. 
Shortly after this, Radama received a menacing letter 
from the governor of Bourbon, complaining of his having, 
by his officer Ramananolona, cut down the French flag at 
Fort Dauphin ; and in the course of a few days, information 
was received by the king, that the people at Fort Dauphin 
had revolted, and that the prince was in distress; in conse¬ 
quence of which, a considerable reinforcement of troops 
was immediately despatched for his relief. Directions were 
also sent to Tamatave for provisions to be forwarded by 
sea from that part. 
In the latter end of January this year, some thousands of 
troops and people had been sent from the capital, to form 
